PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB looks to get back on track against Queens

Kentucky may have lost their first game of the season against North Carolina on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean that the train stops moving. The Cats will take on Queens (5-3, 0-0 ASUN) as they try to get rolling again in their first home game in three weeks.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Royals prior to tipoff.

Bio Blast

After a loss to North Carolina on Thursday, Kentucky finally travels back to Memorial Coliseum for the first time in three games to take on Queens. The 5-3 Royals suffered losses to Longwood, Winthrop, and Wake Forest, all in November. Last season, Queens finished 7-22 (1-15 ASUN) and only won two away games for the entirety of the year.

However, the Royals are coming into Monday’s matchup on a four game win streak. While Kentucky should handedly win this game, the Royals don’t seem like they’re messing around. Currently, Queens is shooting 31.6% from the perimeter, making 50 of 158 attempts. Kentucky on the other hand, is only shooting 28.3% from three. However, Kentucky’s defense only allows an average of 4.8 three-pointers per game.

The Royals aren’t a bad rebounding team either. They’re averaging 38.5 rebounds per game, and only allowing opponents to grab 36.1 per game. Fortunately for the Cats, Queens commits 18.5 turnovers per game, while Kentucky only commits an average of 12.6 miscues. Monday’s battle should be a good one to get Kentucky’s offense back on track, but if the Cats don’t come in prepared, there’s a chance that this game could be a trap.

Projected Starters (based on lineup used Dec. 7)

• #00 – 5’11 – Junior Forward – Jordyn Weaver, 13.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.5 APG
• #6 – 5’8 – Freshman Guard – Magda Freire, 4.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.9 APG
• #10 – 6’1 – Sophomore Guard – Ana Barreto, 10.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.6 APG
• #12 – 5’6 – Senior Guard – Aylesha Wade, 9.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.0 APG
• #32 – 6’2 – Senior Center – Kemia Ward, 6.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.6 APG

Scouting Report

Queens only has three players that average at least 10 points per game in Jordyn Weaver (13.3), Ana Barreto (10.4) and Jermany Mapp (10.0). Those three alone account for 48% of the team’s offensive production.

Weaver averages 6.8 rebounds as well, but where she can really hurt Kentucky is with her scoring. She shoots 50% from deep (though it’s just two makes on four shots), and she shoots 55.3% from the field overall an 80% from the free throw line. The Cats will have to make sure that she doesn’t get hot.

It is worthy to note that the Royals have a deep rotation, having 12 players that get at least 10 minutes of action per game. However, their tallest player, junior forward Tamar Kopilevech, is only 6-foot-3, so the size advantage will belong to the Cats.

Projected Kentucky Starters

#3 – Georgia Amoore

5-FOOT-6 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT

14.4 PPG – 8.3 APG – 2.5 RPG

#7 – Teonni Key

6-FOOT-4 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

11.6 PPG – 9.4 RPG – 3.1 BPG

#10 – Dazia Lawrence

5-FOOT-8 – GUARD – REDSHIRT SENIOR

13.8 PPG – 1.3 RPG – 1.0 APG

#13 – Clara Strack

6-FOOT-5 – CENTER – SOPHOMORE

16.5 PPG – 10.1 RPG – 3.8 APG

#32 – Amelia Hassett

6-FOOT-3 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

8.4 PPG – 10.4 RPG – 1.4 APG

How to Watch/Listen

Place	Tipoff	TV	Radio	Live Stats
Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, KY)	6 p.m. EST	SEC Network+ (Jeff Piecoro, Christi Thomas)	630 WLAP, 790 WKRD (Darren Headrick)	StatBroadcast

Follow Along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG

Unable to watch the game? Don’t worry — we’ll be providing real-time updates throughout to keep you informed on the action. Follow along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG, which will get rolling on the website an hour before the game starts.

Join The Discussion on KSBoard

Want to interact with the KSR crew during tonight’s game? Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard, where we’ll be sharing live updates while also answering questions and providing real-time analysis (and probably complaining about the officiating).